It was not easy.
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The chosen one? Bruins quarterback Josh Rosen had a good debut, but did you realize it was downright Jameis Winston-esque?
Jones, whose status as the starter was not known until he came out for the first offensive series, threw for two touchdowns and ran for another score as Ohio State avenged a 35-21 home loss to Virginia Tech last season and earned its 14th straight win overall.
Jones took over the Buckeyes a year ago after Barrett broke his ankle in the regular-season finale against Michigan.
Miller then had a 53-yard touchdown run in which he pulled off a videogame-esque spin move to dodge two Hokie defenders.
And the scary part is this will likely be Ohio State’s most taxing test until November. At the start of the second half Miller caught a 54-yard touchdown pass that gave the Buckeyes the lead which they never let go of. To boot, he also made the play of the game (see 2:28 mark of the highlight video above). Miller contributed to the win at WR with a spectacular 54 yard TD catch, as well as an electrifying 53 yard TD run. Elliott rushed for a game-high 122 yards and a touchdown.
For Virginia Tech, Brewer was 11 of 16 for 156 yards and two TDs.
Virginia Tech’s Deon Clark leaps over a fallen teammate, and is just steps behind the play, ready to make the tackle. Ohio State converted three of nine third-down attempts and committed six penalties.
Jones led the team to their last three wins in the 2014 season. Brewer suffered a broken left collarbone and will reportedly undergo surgery on Tuesday. The recovery time-could be anywhere from 4 to eight weeks. If Brewer misses the next five games, the earliest he would return would be October 17 on the road at Miami, always a key game in the up-for-grabs ACC Coastal Division.
Virginia Tech trailed 21-17 and had driven into Buckeyes’ territory when Brewer went down but it had trouble moving the ball after Brenden Motley took over behind center. He was picked off once on a deep pass down the middle of the field.
But after that, the first half became a struggle for the Buckeyes, who turned the ball over twice, which led to 10 Virginia Tech points. He certainly has options, and none of them seem to be all that bad. Were it not for a second quarter lull and a late Hokies touchdown long after the game had been decided, it would not have been that close. Even Braxton Miller took a snap before Barrett got a chance. This opener showed so much more, if only because the options on offense have mushroomed.
Virginia Tech wide receiver Isaiah Ford (1) skirts the sideline after a reception during the first half of an NCAA college football game Ohio State in Blacksburg, Va., Monday, September 7, 2015. Ohio State played without a handful of suspended players, including defensive end Joey Bosa.
Ohio State (1-0) is certainly glad he came back. There is a reason Ohio State entered the 2015 season as the unanimous top team in the land.
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That doesn’t figure to be a problem Monday night. Past year is behind them, and they might be a more complete team in 2015.
